5 Types of Butterflies Brightening Lives Around the World

These are the big, flashy fliers of the butterfly world. Swallowtails often have tails on their wings that resemble the long tail feathers of swallows.

Many species, like those in Costa Rica and tropical regions, show off bright colors and structural colors that change in the light. They're common in North American butterflies too, especially in spring.

Best known for epic butterfly migration, monarchs travel thousands of miles between Canada and Mexico. Their caterpillars feed only on milkweed, making them toxic to many predators.

Monarchs go through complete metamorphosis, and their adult stage can last around two to six weeks—with the exception of the last generation of the season, which can live up to nine months.

This group may be small, but they make up about one-third of all butterfly species worldwide.

Known for darting flight and brilliant hues, members of Lycaenidae often have mutual relationships with ants, which protect them in exchange for sweet secretions. Many butterflies in this family live in tropical and temperate zones.

Skippers blur the line between butterflies and moths. They have stout bodies, hooked antennae, and fly with quick, erratic movements.

Often seen around flowers and rotting fruit, these butterflies are found in large numbers across the globe. Their darting flight makes them a challenge to spot, but a delight once you do.

Brush-footed butterflies have reduced front legs, giving the appearance of only four legs. This massive family includes many familiar types, from the painted lady to tropical butterflies in rainforests.

Adults feed on nectar, fruit, and even non-plant matter (such as animal dung or carrion) in some cases. Their life cycles vary, but most species live just long enough to mate and lay eggs.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.